Published on 30.07.2026

Helmholtz Imaging Newsletter Issue No. 28

Image: Athanasios Balomenos, Wenhan Luo, Gary R. Lewin, MDC (3rd Place Participants' Choice Award) | info

Dear Imaging Enthusiast,

Choose your favorite scientific images, register and contribute to Helmholtz Imaging Week 2026, and join our new community space on Matrix. This issue also brings together upcoming training, tools and resources, events, challenges, funding and job opportunities, and more from across the imaging community.

Here’s what’s inside:

We Moved to Matrix: Find our new community space and learn how to join.
Best Scientific Image Contest 2026: Explore this year’s entries and cast your vote for the Public Choice Award by August 18.
Helmholtz Imaging Week 2026: Register, submit your contributions, and join us in Leipzig from November 9–12.
Helmholtz Imaging Roadshow at DLR: Bring your imaging questions, meet our experts in Cologne on September 1, and see the 20 best scientific images from 2025 in our exhibition.
New Helmholtz Imaging Projects: Discover the research questions behind our seven newly funded projects.
Team Update: Farewell to Dasha Trofimova!
Training Opportunities & Materials: Register for 3D Data Visualization, stay tuned as registration opens for further workshops, and explore our newly published training materials.
CONNECT Highlight: Follow the journey from underwater images to scientific knowledge in a new interactive StoryMap.
Tool Spotlight: Discover HoloWizard, an open-source tool for phase retrieval and automatic focusing in X-ray near-field holography.
HAICON26 Recap: Discover how we connected imaging and AI through workshops, presentations, and exchange with the community.
SAVE FOCUS Challenge: Test surgical video understanding across three competition tracks.
Meet Us: Connect with Helmholtz Imaging in Cologne, Berlin, London, Strasbourg and Leipzig.
Partner Platform Update: Join HIDA’s lecture on consentful social media and AI systems.
Funding, Events & More: Explore current calls, external events, recent publication, and job postings.

As always, we welcome your contributions. Share your imaging-related news and events with us at support@helmholtz-imaging.de. Let’s keep building our vibrant imaging community together.

Happy reading!

Your Helmholtz Imaging team

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A personal note from us:

Do you have an imaging challenge, no matter how big or small? Professional imaging support for Helmholtz researchers, offered by Helmholtz Imaging at no cost. Contact us via our support hub.

Also, if you haven’t yet, join our network of experts, modalities, instruments, and facilities! CONNECT with us.

Interested in receiving our newsletter directly in your mailbox? Subscribe here.

Visit our Helmholtz Model Zoo, the new platform for Helmholtz employees for AI-powered research: easy access, user-friendly, strong data protection, and a growing set of validated models from different domains. Join the community!

Explore your image dataset before diving into analysis with PixelPatrol! The tool for quality control and quick results.

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Person standing on a paved walkway outside a modern building, holding a large lightweight square frame made of white rectangular elements and the letters "H" and "I" attached to metal rods. — Sabine Niebel (generatively extended using Photoshop) | info

We Moved to Matrix: Join our New Space to Stay Connected

We moved our community chat from Mattermost to Matrix. The new Helmholtz-wide platform, hosted by HIFIS, will support secure exchange and collaboration across the Helmholtz Association.

Join us on Matrix to stay up to date, exchange with the community, and find the latest news, events, and opportunities.

Find all details on how to join in our news article

Promotional graphic for the Helmholtz Imaging Best Scientific Image Contest 2026 public voting, featuring a collage of colorful contest images arranged in triangular shapes and the words “Public Voting” on a black background. — Katharina Kriegel, Helmholtz Imaging, DESY (images: selection of 2026 contest submissions) | info

Best Scientific Image Contest 2026: Choose your Favorite Images

The Best Scientific Image Contest brings together fascinating visual insights into research from across the Helmholtz Association.

From July 30 through August 18, we invite you to explore this year’s entries and select the image you think should receive the Public Choice Award.

Discover the entries and cast your vote!

Vote here!

The winners will be announced at the award ceremony taking place during the Helmholtz Imaging Conference 2026 on November 11 in Leipzig.

Visual to promote the Helmholtz Imaging Week 2026; image by Thorsten Wiegand from the UFZ called "Tropical Forest on Barro Colorado Island", showing the spatial position, species (color), and size of 87,570 individual trees in a 1000m × 500m section of the tropical forest on Barro Colorado Island, located in the Panama Canal. On the image, colorful dots of different sizes are placed in an unstructured way on grey background. On the image a black box is place to inform the viewers about the date and location of the Helmholtz Imaging Week. — Thorsten Wiegand, UFZ (background image) | info

Helmholtz Imaging Week 2026: Registration & Call for Contributions Open

Join us from November 9-12, 2026 in Leipzig for a week dedicated to scientific exchange, collaboration, and inspiration in the realm of imaging. Whether you’re advancing imaging technologies or applying them in your research, this conference is for you.

At the heart of the week is the Helmholtz Imaging Conference 2026, bringing together researchers and imaging experts from across disciplines to share ideas, present their research, and connect with peers. Prior to the conference is the Imaging Deep Dive Day, an interactive format with hands-on, participant-driven workshops for focused exchange, practical learning, and collaboration in smaller groups.

We invite you to actively contribute to the program by submitting your work as a scientific talk, poster, or as part of the interactive unconference session BYOIC – Bring Your Own Imaging Challenge.

Deadline for contributions: September 16, 2026

We look forward to welcoming you in Leipzig.

Promotional banner for the Helmholtz Imaging Roadshow featuring a color-coded elevation map with mountains, valleys, and a river. Large white text reading “Helmholtz Imaging Roadshow” is displayed over the map, with white corner markers framing the composition. — Markus Bachmann, DLR Oberpfaffenhofen (Top 20 image, Helmholtz Imaging Best Scientific Image Contest 2024) | info

Bring your Imaging Questions: Helmholtz Imaging Roadshow at DLR

On September 1, Helmholtz Imaging is bringing its roadshow to DLR in Cologne. From 10:00 to 11:30, researchers from all disciplines are invited to learn more about our free support for imaging-related challenges.

Whether you are working with noisy data, image registration, deep learning, visualization, or another part of the imaging pipeline, our experts are happy to discuss your questions. The session will introduce Helmholtz Imaging, present selected use cases from across Helmholtz, and leave plenty of time for exchange and one-to-one conversations.

Join us on September 1, bring your questions, and discover how Helmholtz Imaging can support your research.

Our Best Scientific Image Contest 2025 exhibition will also be on display before and after the roadshow. The exhibition showcases the diversity and excellence of imaging research across the Helmholtz Association, highlighting the vital role of imaging science in addressing major societal challenges. The winners of this year’s contest will be announced during Helmholtz Imaging Week 2026, taking place from November 9–12 in Leipzig.

Promotional banner with a collage of six scientific images illustrating different imaging research projects, including maps, microscopy images, diagrams, and reconstruction results. A black banner at the bottom displays the Helmholtz Imaging Projects icon and the text: “Helmholtz Imaging Projects; Meet our new projects from the 2025 call.” — Katharina Kriegel, Helmholtz Imaging (images courtesy of the Helmholtz Imaging Projects) | info

Meet Our New Helmholtz Imaging Projects

Earlier this year, we announced seven new Helmholtz Imaging Projects addressing imaging challenges across disciplines, from environmental research and medicine to materials science and engineering.

The projects now have their own profile pages. Explore their research questions, methods, and collaborations, and discover how the teams aim to advance imaging and image data science across the Helmholtz Association:

3D-Gain: Realistic 3D Atmospheric Reconstruction for Generative AI Nowcasting of Precipitation and Irradiance using Remote Sensing and In-Situ Data

BenthicAI: Illuminating invisible life in the Wadden Sea

GROOVY: HiGh ContRast DichrOic ReflectiOn EUV MicroscopY

MemBrain-structure: AI-driven End-to-End Pipeline for Membrane Protein Structure De-termination by Cryo-ET

Moisture3D: Mapping of Integral Soil Tomography Using Radar Enhancement in 3D

MULTI-TRACE: Simultaneous quantitative multi-molecular PET imaging of two radiopharmaceuticals: from algorithmic developments to applications in neuroscience and oncology

Vi(MA)2C: Vision-based Microscope Automation for Microbial Arena Composition

Li Mohan, Bouquet of gold microcrystals — Li Mohan, GSI | info

Team Update: Farewell, Dasha!

We bid a fond farewell to Dasha Trofimova, a valued member of the Engineering and Support Unit at DKFZ, as she embarks on an exciting new chapter as Principal Scientist in Spatial Multiomics at GSK Cellzome. Dasha played a leading role in the Synergy Unit of the Helmholtz Foundation Model Initiative, advancing the systematic understanding of parameter-efficient adaptation strategies for vision foundation models. We thank Dasha for her valuable contributions and wish her all the best for this next adventure.

Composite image featuring four scientific imaging examples: an illustration of biological structures, a noisy measurement, a color-enhanced microscopy image, and a schematic demonstrating image fusion. — Blended images (from left to right): Andreas Müller, Martin Weigert, MDC, Deborah Schmidt, Helmholtz Imaging, MDC; Tim Roith, TU Munich; Sonja Fritzsche, MDC; AI-generated with ChatGPT | info

Upcoming Training Opportunities & Training Material

Discover our latest workshops and courses, ranging from 3D visualization to image analysis and reconstruction. Save the dates & don’t miss the registration deadlines!

Register now

3D Data Visualization (September 28–October 1, 2026)

Gain hands-on experience visualizing volumetric data with tools including BigVolumeViewer, Blender, and Neuroglancer.

Registration opening soon

August 13: Image Dataset Quality Control, Data Exploration and Pixel Patrol (September 10 & 17, 2026)

Learn how to identify dataset issues, visualize distributions and metadata, and prepare images for downstream analysis, using PixelPatrol.

August 19: Regularization in Image Reconstruction: From Model to Data Driven Methods (September 16, 2026)

Explore regularization strategies, deep learning for inverse problems, and Bayesian approaches to uncertainty quantification.

October 7: Introduction to Image Registration (November 4, 2026)

Discover fundamental concepts and practical techniques for image registration, with applications in microscopy, material science, and earth science.

Training materials now availble

The materials from the Validating AI for Image Analysis workshop are now available online. Learn how to select and interpret appropriate performance metrics, quantify model performance uncertainty, and assess the robustness of rankings in algorithm benchmarking!

These courses are free of charge and open to individuals affiliated with Helmholtz or a HIDA Partner only. They are part of the data science course portfolio offered by the platforms of the Helmholtz Information and Data Science Framework.

Color-coded pixel map with shades of yellow, orange, red, green, and blue. — Anne Hennke, GEOMAR | info

NEW on CONNECT: From Pixels to Knowledge

How do underwater images become reliable scientific data? The interactive StoryMap “From Pixels to Knowledge” follows the marine imaging workflow, from data acquisition in challenging environments to AI-supported image analysis and habitat modelling. Dive in and discover how imaging helps us better understand our oceans.

Read the full blogpost on CONNECT

Laptop on a workbench surrounded by DIY and construction tools, top view, hobby and crafting concept — Envato Elements | info

Tools & Resources, from the Community, for the Community

In this section, we highlight open and practical tools, resources, and solutions developed across the imaging community. Here is this issue’s selection:

Tool spotlight: HoloWizard, bringing lost phase information back into focus

How can sharp, quantitative images be reconstructed from a single X-ray near-field hologram? HoloWizard provides phase-retrieval algorithms that address a central challenge of holographic imaging: detectors record only the intensity of a complex wavefront, while its phase information is lost. Its reconstruction approach can reduce artifacts without requiring measurements at multiple distances or a spatial support constraint. HoloWizard also supports automatic focusing by estimating the Fresnel number needed for a sharp reconstruction.

The open-source tool was developed through a collaboration between Hereon, DESY and TUHH by Johannes Dora, Silja Flenner, André Lopes Marinho, Cem Cinar, Johannes Grün and Johannes Hagemann.

Learn more on CONNECT

Image: DESY (FS-PETRA) & Hereon

Have a tool, dataset, software package, or other resource you’d like to share? Submit your solution via CONNECT and help grow the collection of open and easy-to-use imaging resources. We look forward to featuring more community-driven tools in upcoming issues!

Group photo of the Helmholtz Imaging team at their booth at HAICON26 — info

Helmholtz Imaging at HAICON26: Connecting Imaging, AI and Scientific Discovery

With hands-on workshops, a busy booth full of lively conversations, and a poster spotlight on the Helmholtz Model Zoo, Helmholtz Imaging had many opportunities to connect with AI-savvy researchers from across the community and discuss how we can help take their imaging-related research to the next level.

Read our recap in this news article

Ekaterina Nazarova, DKFZ | info

The SAVE FOCUS Challenge is in Full Swing: Enter the ORena!

Does your model really understand surgical videos? Find out with the ORena SAVE FOCUS challenge. With three competition tracks, you can test the model’s ability to track foreign objects across a single frame, a segment, or full-length operation. The challenge targets a critical technical frontier: can models assist in making safety decisions based on what happened earlier in the operation?

All training data is published, and the pre-evaluation opened a few days ago, so teams can now submit their models for validation and see where they land on the leaderboard.

If you’d like to jump in, check out the SAVE FOCUS website or watch the Kick-Off Webinar Highlights. As an extra motivation — the prize pool currently stands at $60k!

ORena SAVE FOCUS is a joint initiative of the Wellcome Leap SAVE program and the ORena initiative of the DKFZ Intelligent Medical Systems (IMSY) lab, co-sponsored by Helmholtz Imaging.

Knut Sander, Helmholtz Imaging | info

Meet Helmholtz Imaging

Say hello to Helmholtz Imaging team members at the following events:

Working at DLR? Meet Kris and Sebastian from our Engineering and Support Unit at DKFZ at our Helmholtz Imaging Roadshow in Cologne on September 1 at 10-11:30 AM to learn more about our free support and to ask any imaging-related question.
Meet Martin from our Research Unit at DESY at FBP2026 in Berlin on September 7-11, 2026.
Say hi to members of the Research Unit at DESY at the 5th IMA Conference on Inverse Problems from Theory to Application, taking place September 8-10 in London.
Say hello to us at MICCAI2026 on September 27-October 1 in Strasbourg (France).
Meet us for our Helmholtz Imaging Week 2026 from November 9-12, 2026 in Leipzig. Registration & call for contributions are open now.

News from our Partner Platform HIDA

Visual to promote a HIDA Lecture; wording "HIDA Lecture Series" on an abstract background displaying blue and purple converging lines

Lecture: Consentful Social Media & AI Systems

Join us for a deep dive with Jane Im on rethinking privacy through user-centric consent. Discover why traditional permission models fall short and explore how flexible, affirmative consent can reshape social media and AI systems—empowering people with meaningful control over their data and interactions.

Register now

Image: HIDA

decorative image — Created by Firefly | info

Funding Opportunities

ScienceServe: Boosting Research Software at Helmholtz. Information event: June 25, 2026. Application deadline for project proposals: August 14, 2026

ERC Plus Grant: Support for outstanding principal investigators who address major scientific challenges. Application deadline: September 6, 2026

Orena SAVE FOCUS Challenge: Test surgical video understanding across three competition tracks: Frame Track, Segment Track, Procedure Track. Learn more in the newsletter section above.

ORena SAVE FOCUS is a joint initiative of the Wellcome Leap SAVE program and the ORena initiative of the DKFZ Intelligent Medical Systems (IMSY) lab, co-sponsored by Helmholtz Imaging.

Horizon Europe: Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services: Integrating Remote Sensing and in-situ observations of Biodiversity, towards a fully interoperable observation and data framework. Deadline: September 22, 2026

Apply AI: Piloting AI-based image screening in medical centres. Deadline: October 1, 2026

Volkswagen Foundation: Join the live webinar on October 7, 2026 at 2 PM to learn more about the foundation’s funding portfolio.

Helmholtz Imaging Conference 2024, Heidelberg, May 14-15; group of people sitting on chairs in a cirlce; photo taken from bird's eyes' perspective — Jörg Modrow | info

External events

IJCAI-ECAI 2026, the 35th International Joint Conference on Artificial Intelligence: August 15-21, 2026, Bremen
IMC21, the 21st International Microscopy Congress: August 31-September 4, Liverpool, UK
SNIB2026: German Conference on Research Using Synchrotron Radiation, Neutrons, Ions and Accelerators at Large-Scale Facilities, September 8-10, 2026, Hamburg
Laboratory-based X-ray Phase Contrast Imaging Workshop: September 15, 2026, London, UK; abstract submission open
16th XTOP Biennial Conference on High-Resolution X-Ray Diffraction and Imaging: September 21-25, 2026, Karlsruhe
Leibniz Meets AI: October 5, 2026, Hannover; call for contributions open until Sep-tember 1, register by September 13; event will be held in German
2026 vEM Technology Forum: October 11-15, 2026, Beijing, China; registration now open
EMBL Imaging Centre Symposium 2026: October 13-14, 2026, Heidelberg
DeepMI FastSurfer / FreeSurfer: October 14-16, 2026, DZNE, Bonn; introductory course on state-of-the-art deep-learning methods for fast and reliable neuroimage analysis
AI in Science Summit: October 15, 2026, Dublin, Ireland; register your interest here
10th BigBrain Workshop: October 21-22, 2026, Montréal, Canada
Bayesian Methods for Biomedical Data Science: November 30-December 4, 2026, online course
Image analysis for Correlative Light and Electron Microscopy (CLEM): November 30-December 4, 2026, London, UK (£550)

Do you know of any imaging-related events that could be of interest to our imaging community? We’d love to hear from you. Share the details with us at support@helmholtz-imaging.de.